New Year is the time when people make resolutions. Why not include “learning to play a musical instrument” as one of the resolutions for the New year? Here’s how to get started and ensure you stay on-track so that you acquire a lifelong skill.
Introduction
If you have always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument, this is the time to plan it out.
Learning music is like learning a language, so repetition, and immersion are the keys to success, doesn’t matter you start on the piano, guitar, or the ukulele.
- Just get started
- Make playing a part of your everyday life
- Commit to ongoing learning
- Learn a few fun, new songs
- Stop judging yourself (initially)
- Start recording your lessons
Time to Get Started
If you are one of those who have always loved music but never picked up an instrument or took music lessons, this is the time to make a resolution and start learning to play a musical instrument.
Learning to play the piano (guitar or any other instrument) requires some level of commitment. If you have always wanted to learn to play the piano, why not use the boost from your New Years resolve and go for it.
Many feel daunted by the thought of learning to play a musical instrument, but all it requires is some regularly dedicated time. If your only goal is to have fun, you can find success in a couple of months, which is not much for learning a new skill (art) that people appreciate.
Contrary to what many feel, learning music is fun and is much faster than what many think (you shouldn’t aim to be a rock star or a concert pianist initially).
Also Read: Benefits of Music Education
Easy to Learn Musical Instruments
If you feel strongly about a musical instrument, pick up that instrument. But if you’re not sure, you may pick up one of the easy to play instruments, such as Harmonica, Recorder, Melodica, Ukulele, electronic keyboard, and so on.
If you’re torn between piano and the guitar, go for a digital piano/keyboard. One advantage of learning the piano is that it can give you instant gratification, because you don’t have to build finger calluses that string players need, or need any special technique to hold the instrument (but then you have to use both the hands).
While learning to play the basics is easy for most instruments, in order to master any instrument, you have to devote lot of time.
Th good thing is that once you start, you are a piano player (or guitar player, or any other instrument).
Just stick with it for the new year, and then for the next, and maybe for the next thirty years (perhaps 30 years of New Years Resolutions?) after that.
You may only play single-note melodies at first, and then melodies with chords, and then melodies with velvet-smooth chord patterns and counterpoint bass, and then… and then you will someday have the skills and the musical knowledge to do whatever you want at the piano (or on the instrument of your choice).
Music Lessons: Get started on your favorite instrument.
Buying a Musical Instrument
Beginner musical instruments have become cheaper over the years; wind instruments specifically are cheaper than electric guitars and electronic keyboards.
While the temptation to buy a cheap music instrument is more, its not a good idea to always opt for the cheapest ones. You can go through this guide on buying quality musical instruments.
You also have the option of renting a music instrument, to see how it goes, although in the long run, it turns out to be cheaper to own one than rent. Read here for more on renting Musical Instruments.
Also Read: Best keyboards and Pianos
How to Stay On-Track
Everybody makes New Years Resolutions, but in order to stick to them, you require commitment, and you need mentors who can encourage you while you learn.
If you find the right teacher, its easy to stay motivated and put in those initial hours of practice (and they aren’t all that long and that boring). You can definitely go through the YouTube video to get an idea of how piano players play, but it alone won’t get you there (it can definitely be a good supplement.)
To learn how to play the piano, you must take that first serious step of deciding not to put it off any longer. Make a commitment to daily practice, knowing ahead of time that this is no whim. It is a choice to begin a life-long journey of learning and growing and developing skills. You will find out that the joys of this journey are numerous and varied, from teaching your fingers to play with evenness and dexterity to creating musical phrases, to working on a beautiful piano piece, to having a daily project to take your mind off of the stressful daily grind.
But first you have to make a start, and then you must not stop. Your chances for success depend entirely on your persistence and resolve. Also, it will help tremendously if you keep in mind that it is the learning and the growing and the skill-development which are the truly enjoyable and satisfying parts of playing the piano. Playing beautiful and great music will come too, but that is really just the icing on the cake. Your consistent daily time at the piano will be the source of joy and motivation. Practice will be what you love to do, not just a means to an end.
Final Thoughts
If you planning for the new year and are setting up some goals, I would suggest adding “learning a musical instrument” to that list. There are several benefits of music education, and its not that difficult to learn to play a musical instrument as it may seem.
So what is holding you back this year? (you have to take the time to sit down, play, and learn.)
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
Leave a Reply